Description
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and peppery goodness! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and tossed in a buttery honey lemon glaze, they’re irresistible. Whether baked, fried, or air-fried, these wings are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for game days, parties, or just a fun dinner treat!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drums & flats)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (coarsely ground)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Wings:
- Pat the wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, toss wings with baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Drizzle with olive oil and mix well to coat evenly.
- Cook the Wings:
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and arrange the wings in a single layer.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden brown.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Arrange wings in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway. Increase to 400°F for the last 5 minutes for extra crispiness.
Frying Method:
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or skillet to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry wings in batches for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Toss & Serve:
- Place cooked wings in a large bowl.
- Pour the honey lemon pepper sauce over the wings and toss gently to coat.
- Garnish with extra lemon zest and cracked black pepper.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the wings rest for 5 minutes before tossing them in the sauce.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less black pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in an oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Main Course
- Method: Baking / Frying / Air Frying
- Cuisine: American